TL;DR
- Cloud9 achieved their first perfect week in 2018 NA LCS Summer Split after early season struggles
- Roster changes including rookie additions Blaber and Zeyzal brought decisive in-game improvements
- The team jumped from last place to tied for fifth, entering playoff contention
- Strategic scheduling advantage with upcoming games against bottom-tier teams
- Veteran players Jensen and Sneaky regained form after early benchings
Cloud9’s journey through the 2018 NA LCS Summer Split began as a cautionary tale of roster instability and strategic confusion. The team’s constant lineup changes created a disruptive environment where players struggled to develop cohesive teamwork and consistent decision-making patterns.
During the initial weeks, Cloud9 displayed concerning symptoms of a team in crisis. Their in-game coordination suffered from hesitation and miscommunication, leading to costly errors in critical moments. These performance issues resulted in the organization occupying the league’s basement position, raising serious questions about their competitive future.
The revolving door approach to roster management failed to address fundamental strategic weaknesses. Players appeared uncertain about their roles and responsibilities, creating a snowball effect of poor performances that threatened to derail their entire season.
Cloud9’s Week 6 performance marked a dramatic departure from their earlier form, securing their first flawless week of the split. This turnaround represents more than just two victories—it signals a fundamental shift in team dynamics and strategic execution that could redefine their season trajectory.
The team’s resurgence has propelled them back into playoff consideration, currently sharing fifth position with established organizations TSM and Counter Logic Gaming. More importantly, they’ve demonstrated the resilience needed to compete at the highest level of North American League of Legends.
Their improved standing reflects not just temporary success but sustainable competitive improvement. The psychological boost from this achievement cannot be overstated for a team that had lost its way early in the season.
Eric “Licorice” Ritchie established himself as the team’s consistent foundation, delivering exceptional performances regardless of roster configurations. His stability provided the anchor that allowed other players to find their rhythm and confidence throughout the challenging season.
Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen and Zachary “Sneaky” Scuderi successfully reclaimed their starting positions after temporary benchings, demonstrating improved focus and renewed commitment to team success.
The departure of Andy “Smoothie” Ta to Echo Fox created opportunities for new talent. Rookies Robert “Blaber” Huang and Tristan “Zeyzal” Stidam injected fresh energy and surprising decisiveness into the lineup. Their ability to perform under pressure belied their inexperienced status in professional League of Legends.
Head Coach Bok “Reapered” Han-Gyu’s controversial roster experimentation appears to be yielding positive results. The calculated risks in player development are beginning to pay dividends when the team needs them most.
Cloud9’s second weekend victory carried extra significance as it came against former support player Smoothie and his new Echo Fox squad. This symbolic win against their departed teammate reinforced the effectiveness of their new roster configuration and strategic direction.
With six matches remaining in the regular season, Cloud9 faces a strategically favorable schedule. Their next three opponents represent the league’s lower-tier teams, providing crucial opportunities to accumulate wins before facing tougher competition.
The final stretch presents challenging matchups against Team Liquid, 100 Thieves, and FlyQuest. Securing victories in the upcoming winnable games becomes essential for building momentum and playoff positioning before these difficult encounters.
Cloud9’s playoff dreams remain very much alive. As veteran LCS observers understand, the league often produces unexpected outcomes and dramatic late-season surges that can redefine team fortunes in the closing weeks.
Successful teams in similar situations typically focus on incremental improvement rather than dramatic overhauls. Maintaining current momentum while addressing minor strategic adjustments provides the best path forward for sustained success.
Action Checklist
- Analyze opponent weaknesses in upcoming matches against bottom-tier teams
- Develop specific game plans for Team Liquid, 100 Thieves, and FlyQuest matchups
- Implement role-specific practice routines for each player position
- Establish communication protocols for in-game decision making under pressure
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